People

Jonathan Ayre Partner

Houston

Jonathan represents companies driving the energy transition, including representing project developers in connection with engineering, procurement and construction agreements, solar module purchase agreements, transformer purchase agreements, and operation and maintenance agreements. He co-leads Orrick's nuclear power practice and has represented the purchaser in the first high-assay low-enriched uranium purchase agreement, as well as in numerous joint venture, engineering, procurement, and construction, and commercial agreements in the nuclear power industry. Chambers Global has reported, "He knows the industry very well and takes a commercial approach to help resolve differences with the counterparty. He has a good bedside manner and cooperates well with others,” and ”he's very resourceful and he approaches the energy and corporate sector with a true business sense." Jonathan was recognized in 2020 by Law 360 as an Energy Rising Star.

Jonathan is a recognized leader in cutting-edge transactions in oil and gas securitizations, representing the investors in the first oil and gas securitization, in the first operated property transaction, in the first transaction involving properties owned by the Bureau of Land Management, and in the first transaction using a master trust structure. He has worked on over $20 billion of oil and gas securitizations.

Jonathan is an active supporter of the Houston Symphony, serving as Chairman of the Houston Symphony's Finance Committee, as a Governing Director on the Houston Symphony Society's Board of Trustees, and as chair of the 2021 Houston Symphony's Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction. He serves as a member of the Steering Committee of the Houston Men of Distinction Annual Awards Luncheon, an organization that recognizes Houston men who have distinguished themselves through excellence in community achievement, thereby providing support in superior biomedical research, education, and patient care in the Texas Medical Center.

Janet Barbiere Partner

New York

She represents banks, investment banks and other financial institutions in their roles as issuers, underwriters, placement agents, originators, loan sellers and investors in commercial mortgage loan and mezzanine loan securitizations, real estate syndications, origination and servicing programs, the acquisition and sale of interests in mortgage loans, mortgage securities, subordinated debt and mezzanine debt, as well as transactions in the secondary mortgage market.

She has advised banks and other financial institutions in analyzing and structuring a broad array of traditional and unique CMBS transactions, in the restructuring and sale of performing and non-performing commercial mortgage loans, and in connection with CMBS re-securitizations and CRE CLO securitizations. She serves on various SFIG and CREFC Committees.

Prior to joining Orrick, Janet was a partner in the New York offices of Kaye Scholer LLP, Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP and Sidley Austin LLP.

Peter C. Bergan, Jr. Partner

Chicago

With over a decade of experience, Peter has guided clients through joint ventures, investments, financings and acquisitions/dispositions across commercial, digital infrastructure, industrial, mining, retail, hospitality, and multifamily and single-family assets nationwide.

He brings a unique focus to data center and digital infrastructure assets with a broad perspective, advising on construction, M&A, leasing, customer and other contracts. From hyperscale facilities and colocation centers to enterprise and cloud-based solutions, he draws on his experience with industry stakeholders to deliver clear, confident guidance to clients navigating this increasingly dense space.

Beyond the office, Peter is committed to community service, serving as a board member for Rugby Ohio, an organization dedicated to supporting the growth and development of children and teenagers through the game of rugby. He is also an active member of the Urban Land Institute and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Geoffroy Berthon Partner

Parigi

Geoffroy advises on public contracts, particularly in the context of concessions and PPPs. He has been involved in projects relating to the financing, construction and operation of the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille; the Sud Europe Atlantique high-speed line; the Athletes' Village for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; the Grand Paris Express and the offshore extension of the Principality of Monaco. He has also worked on several French highway (A412, A69, RCEA, A88, A41, A150), port (Calais, Cannes) and airport projects (Nice, Lyon, Beauvais).

In the renewables field, he acts alongside the French government (Ministry of Energy Transition) in calls for tenders for the construction of offshore wind farms, including floating wind turbines, and advises operators in the realization of biomass and geothermal projects, as well as investors in the context of "M&A" operations concerning wind and solar assets and methanization. He also has experience in hydroelectricity matters. He advises both sponsors and lenders and works regularly with public entities and governments. He also advises on the drafting and negotiation of corporate PPAs, acting for both energy producers and buyers.

Geoffroy Berthon is recognized by clients as "talented, dynamic and brilliant lawyer. He is a hard worker. His calm manner and attentiveness reassure as a client" (Legal 500) and as a Leading Partner by Legal 500 (EMEA 2025) in public law and energy.

Geoffroy holds a doctorate in public law, was a lecturer in public contract law at Sciences Po, and frequently published in both English and French.

Ari Bessendorf Partner

Singapore

Ari’s practice cuts across sectors, including conventional power, renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric), infrastructure, oil & gas and mining throughout the United States and Asia. His combination of project development and finance experience allows him to advise clients on bankability considerations for development matters.

Clients commend him for being “meticulous on the finer details”, and “a firm but calming and amiable presence at the negotiating table.” They add that “he gained our trust” and has “a cost-effective approach and a drive to successfully close deals.”

Mariangela Di Giandomenico Partner

Roma

Esperta di diritto amministrativo e pubblico, nel corso della propria carriera ha prestato consulenza a imprese private e pubbliche, italiane e straniere, oltre che a corporations e pubbliche amministrazioni in materia di diritto pubblico e nel contenzioso, anche nel contesto di operazioni di M&A.

Mariangela ha maturato una vasta esperienza in tutte le aree del diritto amministrativo, in particolare nei settori contratti pubblici, urbanistica, real estate, comunicazioni, energia, aerospazio e difesa, life sciences, trasporti e infrastrutture, servizi regolamentati, nonché nel contenzioso dinanzi ai tribunali amministrativi, alla Corte costituzionale e alla Corte europea.

In qualità di avvocato cassazionista, è abilitata a rappresentare i propri clienti davanti alle Giurisdizioni superiori.

Nel 2025 è stata nominata dalla Commissione europea come membro dello Stakeholder Expert Group on Public Procurement (SEGPP)", che supporta la Commissione nella riforma delle direttive europee sugli appalti pubblici.

Grazie alla rilevante esperienza nel contenzioso davanti ai giudici amministrativi, Mariangela ha contribuito alla definizione delle politiche di diritto pubblico in Italia. Ha collaborato con la Camera dei Deputati e con il presidente della Commissione per la riforma amministrativa, supervisionando la stesura di disegni di legge, relazioni parlamentari e proposte normative.

Nel corso della propria carriera, ha lavorato in studi legali italiani e internazionali e in boutique specializzate in diritto amministrativo.  

Mariangela è membro del Comitato scientifico dell'Associazione Italiadecide e supervisiona l'Osservatorio sui contratti pubblici dell'Associazione. È docente in corsi di laurea magistrale in diritto amministrativo e in corsi per le istituzioni pubbliche. È inoltre autrice di numerose pubblicazioni in materia, relatrice in convegni e seminari pubblici e ricercatrice per associazioni private e pubbliche.

Nel 2021 Mariangela è stata inserita da TopLegal tra i migliori avvocati specializzati in appalti pubblici e concessioni. Nel 2022 è stata nominata avvocato dell'anno in materia di infrastrutture e PPP da Legalcommunity.

Kyle Drefke Partner

Washington, D.C.

Kyle has represented clients in domestic and international financings, including syndicated credit facilities, private placements, and registered securities offerings. He has extensive experience in the development and structuring of long-term power purchase agreements with respect to thermal (nuclear, coal and natural gas) and renewable generation facilities. He has also represented clients in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), auctions, joint ventures, corporate restructurings and other general corporate matters.

Kyle has represented clients in various matters relating to the development, construction, ownership and operation of electric generation facilities in the United States, South America and Europe. His practice also includes the representation of clients seeking and obtaining substantial financing from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Patrick Ferguson Partner

San Francisco

Patrick is described by Chambers USA as “an excellent writer”, an “expert on the California power market", and “experienced across a range of assets including solar and geothermal power plants and transmission lines.” He works on commercial and regulatory challenges involving the transition of the electric power grid to renewable resources, and represents some of the country’s largest power producers in wholesale and retail energy and capacity market transactions.

Patrick advises solar, wind, geothermal, and energy storage project sponsors on site acquisition, transmission, and power purchase agreement negotiations. He also assists producers of new technologies that combat climate change, including renewable fuels, carbon capture, and carbon offset credits, in structuring novel commercial transactions.

Zachary Finley Partner

San Francisco

He advises publicly held and privately owned (including sponsor-backed) companies, financial institutions, credit funds and other alternative lenders in connection with broadly syndicated loans, pro rata (bank-only) credit facilities and a wide variety of private credit transactions (including senior secured, junior lien, senior subordinated and mezzanine loans). His experience also extends to asset-based loans, project financings, debt restructurings and workouts. In addition, Zach regularly represents technology companies on various types of growth capital financings used to rapidly expand their businesses and to deploy new and market-disrupting products and services.

Zach has a particular passion for the digital infrastructure sector, stemming from his extensive experience representing data center operators, service providers, lenders and investors in the space. As one of the leaders of Orrick’s multidisciplinary data center practice, he is well-versed in traditional and increasingly bespoke financing structures to address the unique needs and challenges of clients in this ever-evolving industry.

In the 2025 California Banking & Finance category of Chambers USA, clients praise Zach as “a phenomenal” and describe him as “extremely aware of the market and a great resource when it comes to debt financing.” He is also recognized by IFLR1000, where clients note that Zach “is an outstanding business partner” and “his strengths are his creativity, accessibility, diligence and his ability to bring all of Orrick's resources to bear.”

Zach previously served a three-year term on the Commercial Transactions Committee (formerly called the Uniform Commercial Code Committee) of the Business Law Section of the State Bar of California, acting as its Co-Chair for the final year of his term.

Amanda Galton Partner

San Francisco

As Deputy Chair of our Corporate Business unit, Amanda uses her legal experience, business acumen, professional network and industry knowledge to resolve anticipated and unforeseen obstacles and developments. She advises at material stages of the corporate life cycle (formation, financings, and exits, including SPACs, direct listings and IPOs); and provides guidance and trusted governance advice on board, advisor, employment, separation, and other commercial matters. To further help companies thrive, Amanda keeps clients informed about recent developments in their space and helps connect entrepreneurs and investors with one another.

Amanda started her post-undergraduate professional career in West Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer – a place where she got to deploy her French and Arabic language skills. Though the focus of her service was health education and community development, she also spent time in a village with Liberian refugees who were interested in implementing windmill technology. Her time in the Peace Corps remains a foundational experience for how she approaches her work today — as she continues to be inspired by the impact of technology and those who are tenacious in solving problems.

Now, Amanda works with companies and entrepreneurs in a number of industries including financial services, food and agriculture, mobility and energy infrastructure, clean tech, and health and professional services.

A portion of her work is also in representing certain investors and venture funds in their investments.

In addition to her practice, Amanda also dedicates time to advancing women in leadership in the U.S. and abroad. She has served as a cultural and professional resource for emerging women leaders from the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa through Tech Women, a U.S. State Department initiative dedicated to empowering women technology leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and has served on the Board of CodeChix, a non-profit corporation which recruits, retains and inspires women engineers.

True to her professional roots in Peace Corps service, Amanda remains actively committed to advancing global economic development. As a member of Orrick’s Impact Finance and Investment group, she supports investors and entrepreneurs who make social and environmental impacts alongside financial returns.

Prior to joining Orrick, Amanda was a corporate associate at the Menlo Park, California office of Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP.

David Gold Partner

New York

David advises private and public companies on domestic and cross-border transactions in the technology, life sciences, and energy and infrastructure sectors. He regularly advises clients on complex M&A transactions, joint ventures, and general corporate matters.

David is passionate about his role as a trusted advisor to clients, and he immerses himself in the businesses of his clients to enable him to deliver impactful and strategic legal services.

Before joining Orrick, David practiced at another international law firm in New York.

Emin Guseynov Partner

New York

Emin’s practice focuses on advising direct lenders in connection with a variety of finance transactions, including leveraged acquisitions and corporate financings. He also advises investment banks and other lending institutions in leveraged finance, marketplace lending and structured finance transactions. In addition, Emin represents Orrick’s corporate clients in connection with corporate finance transactions, project financings and debtor in possession financings.

Prior to joining Orrick, Emin was an associate at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP.